The Benjamin Franklin Parkway’s favorite outdoor pop up — The Oval — returns this summer from Thursday, July 20 to Sunday, August 20 with all of the fun activities you know and love (movie nights, beer garden, games and more), in addition to a few new things, too.

THE OVAL FAST FACTS

The 2017 Oval+ season runs Weds. to Sun., July 20 to August 20.

This year, an immersive art installation debuts at the Oval.

Admission to the park is free; activities are pay as you go.

(Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)

Open Wednesdays through Sunday from July 20 to August 20, the Oval promises…

Free movie nights

A shaded beer garden

Free fitness classes

Live performances

Oversized games

And more…

New This Year

The Oval returns as the Oval+ (the Oval Plus) with a bigger-than-ever footprint and an all-new art installation by Philadelphia- and Chicago-based design firm PORT Urbanism. The new installation will encourage people to envision the future of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and its future uses. The installation features three open-air “rooms” that each focus on a different subject — unfamiliar aspects of Philadelphia culture, hidden Fairmount Park and an evolving mural that guests are encouraged to add to.

In addition to the themed open-air “rooms,” the Oval will welcome a new ground mural designed by PORT Urbanism and painted by Mural Arts Philadelphia.

Also new this year is an immersive maze that will run from the stage to the tree-covered park to connect the stage with the surrounding area.

(Image courtesy PORT Urbanism)

The Oval+ celebrates the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with a special installation featuring immersive art.

Season Programming

The Oval’s popular warm-weather programs and activities return for 2017 — movie nights, free fitness, concerts, games and more.

The programming kicks off on Wednesdays (the Oval is open Wednesday through Sunday) with wellness Wednesdays, which return with free yoga and kickboxing classes and continues on Thursdays with arts and culture Thursdays, food and flicks Fridays (yes, movie nights!), game day Saturdays and family-fun Sundays

In addition to its special programs, the Oval is home to oversized games (checkers, chess and more) and a splash park all week long.

(The Oval | Photo by M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia)

This summer, stop by the beer garden at the Oval for craft beer, wine, cocktails and food.

Food and Drinks

Heads up, beer-garden lovers: The Oval’s tree-shaded beer garden returns for the summer of 2017. Wednesday through Sunday during The Oval season, the beer garden will return with alfresco brews and wine under a lush canopy of trees. At the beer garden, guests can purchase beer, wine, cocktails and a selection of hot food.

For more food, the Oval is home to a rotating roster of food trucks throughout the season — think everything from tacos to cupcakes.

Getting There

Located in the shadow of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at Eakins Oval, the space is at the center of a hub of vehicular traffic. By far, the easiest way to arrive at The Oval, though, is by foot or bicycle. There are crosswalks leading from the sidewalks of the Parkway, straight to the park and bike racks are on site.

By public transportation, a number of SEPTA buses make stops at or near Eakins Oval. The PHLASH is also a great way to go, with stop number 15 delivering passengers right to Eakins Oval.